1. The Art and Science of Storytelling
Jason M. Allen, P.E.
Mountain States Concrete Pipe Association

2. Jason M. Allen, P.E.
University of Utah Graduate (Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees) in Civil Engineering
16 years experience in the engineering field
Surveying
Land Development
Public Sector
Consultant Engineer
Entrepreneur
Marketing Engineer

3. Rigid Rugged Resilient

4. Takeaways Science of Storytelling Storytelling Techniques
Incorporating into Presentations
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

5. Presentations
Good
Better
Best
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

6. Why Storytelling? Connection of cause and effect
65% of all human interaction
Turn ideas into own experience
Jeremy Hsu study
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

7. Why Storytelling? Brains are wired for storytelling
Uri Hassan – Princeton Study
When we tell stories to others that have really helped us shape our thinking and way of life, we can have the same effect on them too. The brains of the person telling a story and listening to it can synchronize, says Uri Hasson from Princeton:
"When the woman spoke English, the volunteers understood her story, and their brains synchronized. When she had activity in her insula, an emotional brain region, the listeners did too. When her frontal cortex lit up, so did theirs. By simply telling a story, the woman could plant ideas, thoughts and emotions into the listeners' brains."
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

8. Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

9. 7 Storytelling Techniques
Immerse your audience in a story.
Tell a personal story.
Create suspense.
Bring characters to life.
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

10. 7 Storytelling Techniques
Show. Don’t tell.
Build up to a S.T.A.R. moment.
End with a positive takeaway.
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

11. Implementing Storytelling
Remember: Good, Better, Best
Example 1:
Engineer Specs Concrete
Contractor wins job
Changes to HDPE
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

12. Specification Changes
Good
Present information
If contractor deviates from specs:
Notify owner that it is a design change
Owner pays more for additional engineering, or
Have owner sign indemnification
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

13. Specification Changes
Better
Open-Ended Questions
Facilitate Discussion
If contractor deviates from specs, what should the design engineer do?
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

14. Specification Changes
Best
Personalized Questions
Tell a Story
Facilitate Discussion
The Timid Engineer…
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

15. Implementing Storytelling
Remember: Good, Better, Best
Example 2:
Discuss Life Cycle Costs
Maintenance costs of RCP and HDPE
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

16. Good Life Cycle Costs Present information RCP vs. HPDE Design Life
RCP: Minimize Repairs
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

17. Facilitate Discussion
Life Cycle Costs
Better
Open-Ended Questions
Facilitate Discussion
What are the design lives of RCP and HDPE?
What factors can affect design life?
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

18. Best Life Cycle Costs Personalized Questions Tell a Story
Facilitate Discussion
“It’s easier to repair…”
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

19. Takeaways Science of Storytelling Storytelling Techniques
Incorporating into Presentations
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.

20. Questions?
Contact Information:
Jason M. Allen
(801)
MountainStates.ConcretePipe.org
Rigid. Rugged. Resilient.